Planet Athion: The Complete Series by Angel Lawson

72

Mercy

Hours after Dimka leaves,I’m informed by a nervous-looking soldier in a black Custo uniform that dinner will be served in an hour. I find a dress in the closet that was brought up from the clothing Rhise found in storage. I’ve spent the last two weeks in comfortable clothing, but this one is the kind of thing the Master would have loved me in. Too bad he won’t get to see it. It’s cut low in the front and back, the black, shimmery skirt tightly lands just below my thigh. As all Trad clothing for women, it’s skin-tight and accentuates every curve and angle. The ridiculous part is they’re also amazingly comfortable. It’s hard to complain.

I head into the living room with my shoulders back, feeling more confident and secure than I have in a long time. I know that Kai, Alex, and Dimka are a cohesive unit when it comes to our future. We’re committed to our relationship and future. Damon? He’s got to work though his baggage, but I can deal with that.

For now.

It’s the first meal we’ve had together like this since the Master was removed. Kai eyes sweep over me when I walk in and my heart clenches when I see him. I can’t help but say, “These circumstances are far superior to when we met for dinner last time, don’t you think?”

He smiles and I’m thankful we both still have our sense of humor. “Yes, far better.”

The three Custo I met on Athion stand around the bar, looking handsome in their uniforms. I consider that I’ve never seen them dress casually, other than naked, and I wonder what that’s like. Alex hands me a drink and kisses my cheek, and I feel heat warm my skin at the remembrance of him and that marvelous mouth the night before.

“You look beautiful,” he says, quietly.

I brush the strands of hair out of his eyes. “Thank you.”

Dimka also places his lips on my neck, long and lingering; his eyes rake down the low-cut front of my dress. It’s clear we’re waiting on one person and just before I’m about to ask, he comes strolling in the room, looking like sex on legs and threatening to ruin my goal of ignoring him all night.

He’s not in uniform, instead wearing a pair of dark-wash blue jeans from back home. They hang perfectly on his hips and are worn in all the right places. He has on a long-sleeved gray T-shirt that matches his eyes and the fabric clings to his body like a glove.

“Nice of you to finally join us,” Kai says, with a small smirk. “Nice outfit.”

“I figured this was a casual affair.” His eyes skim over me and my attire. “I guess not.”

“If the reward is Mercy in a dress like that,” Alex says, passing him a drink, “then I’ll put on a fucking tuxedo.”

I smile at him. “I’d love to see you in a tux.”

His eyebrows lift suggestively, and he takes a sip of his drink.

“Dinner will be ready soon, I thought maybe we could relax in here first,” Kai says. Other than the bar, there are two comfortable-looking couches and two leather arm chairs. The Americanized style is in this room as well and we could be in any upscale living room back home.

“Sounds good,” I say, walking over to Kai as the other men launch into discussions of warfare and occupation. I feel their eyes on me and it’s exactly what I’ve wanted. All of us together. I have a sneaking suspicion Kai planned this on purpose to sway anyone’s doubts.

When I reach him, he touches my elbow and pulls me close, confirming this. “If you want to win him over, this may be your only chance.”

“What do you mean?”

“This isn’t just about you and Damon. It’s about all of us. That’s what he hasn’t bought into. That’s what he’s afraid of.”

I hold Kai’s brilliant amber eyes for a moment and let that sink in. Damon needs to feel like he belongs—to all of us. He wasn’t with us on Athion to understand the bond we all shared. I nod while my mind spins. “I see.”

“Are you ready to break him?” he asks.

I smile in response.

Kai takes my hand and escorts me to one of the couches. I sit and he joins me, placing his hand on my thigh.

If I’d ever questioned Kai’s dedication to his role as commander of this group, I didn’t anymore. His intent is clear and I feel the shiver of desire run up my spine.

“As much as I despise the Tradrych,” Kai says, leaning in, “their attention to detail in women’s clothing is hard to criticize.”

He touches my lower back and like he says, the fabric is made of a material that makes nearly every touch heightened. I basically feel naked, which is one reason wearing something like this before the Master was so terrible, but with my men? I see a whole new side to the innovation.

“You let me know if you get uncomfortable,” he whispers, while nibbling on my ear. “I’ll stop.”

My breath catches in my throat and I nod, unable to speak. His lips move down my neck and his hand runs along my thigh. Kai and I haven’t been alone since our night together in his room, while he was still healing, but now there’s no worry about injuries or being gentle, and this boldness? Right in front of the others? I feel a renewed sense of passion.

I sense someone walking our direction and the couch lowers when they sit down. Kai doesn’t stop but I look next to me and see Alex with a deadly smirk. If Kai told him or not, he’s in on the game, and from our night in the bunker I know he’s not afraid of a little shared affection.

“Hi,” I say, resting my hand on his knee.

His eyes sweep over me and without hesitation, he slips a hand behind my neck and pulls me toward him, kissing me hard on the mouth.

My nipples strain against the thin fabric of my dress and Alex’s hand moves to my breast. Slowly he caresses me, already knowing how sensitive I am to his touch. Kai’s hand slips between my thigh and I moan at the feelings of so much attention at once.

I sneak a peek across the room and find both men watching. Dimka is entranced, and I know that this may be a little hard on him. Sex is a private pastime. He’s new to the experience and I’m hoping this doesn’t scare him off. Our eyes lock and a current of understanding seems to pass between us. He moves closer to us, sitting in one of the chairs, sipping his drink.

He can watch.

Damon, on the other hand, holds his glass so tight that I think it may shatter. His eyes are glued to mine and there’s a war of emotion on his face. My jaw slackens as Kai parts my legs, slipping a finger inside. “Does that feel good,” he asks quietly.

I drag my eyes from Damon and look at the man next to me, his flushed, azure face, and nod. “Yes. So good.”

He adds in another and begins stroking my clit.

Every part of my body is heightened; my skin, my nerves, my emotions. Kai’s fingers are skilled and combined with Alex’s hands and lips, I feel the orgasm cresting. I look back at the man across the room, the one I’m hoping to convince that this is worth staying for, and lock eyes with him as a breath comes shuddering out of me and my body tightens, my toes curl. Two pairs of hot lips travel across my neck, my shoulders, and I coast through the powerful wave of ecstasy.

They’re with me every step of the way, coaxing my body up, bringing me down, and when the last of the waves rolls over me I exhale, feeling at the very least like a new, different woman.

The question is, will Damon want more?

Damon stands across the room, lifts his drink to his lips, downs the liquid at the bottom of the glass and says, “Now that the appetizer is over, let’s eat,” and walks out of the room.